July 2015 Filers

[Pinay02/16/2011 0]

Hello VJers. I just would like to share my interview experience at the USCIS San Bernardino CA Field office. My scheduled appointment was today September 18, 2015 at 12 PM. So my husband and I arrived there at around 10:38 AM, we went there early to checked out where exactly the building is located, we were surprised that we arrived like an hour and a half early no traffic as we have expected. After seeing where the building is located we did not go in just yet but we went to Jamba Juice a couple of blocks away to get some drinks and to kill a little time. We went back at 11:38 and parked at the buildings parking lot, no parking fees here. Before we went in, my husband have too finished his drink before going in the building because there was a big sign up front that said No Food or Drink beyond this point. Then as soon as we came in (around 11:48 am) we saw like 3 or 4 Uniformed Officers and follow a corded line that went up to the metal detectors. They immediately told us to removed any and all metal things we are wearing including our shoes and placed them on the conveyor belt and everything we are carrying at hand and placed them in medium size bins. The officers were very courteous and polite. After passing through the metal detectors and getting our stuff back they instructed us to go up the 2nd Flr. So we went up and saw a lot of people waiting there. I went up to the reception booth and placed my Appointment Letter in the tray and went to sit and wait for our names to be called. At exactly 1 pm a IO called my name and He looked at my husband and asked me if he is the Petitioner, I said yes, he is my husband. We went through 3 secured doors into the inner sanctum where his office is located. We went in 1st and upon closing the door the IO identified himself as Mr. Santiago and he will be reviewing our case. We sat down and right away he asked for our identification cards. He was asking for my EAD card and DL which I told him I don't have these documents yet, you won't be needing the EAD card once you received your green card. (I did not get it at first but he already had approved us way before we sat down, my husband told me after the IO escorted us out to the waiting room) so he asked for my Birth Certificate, my passport, our Marriage Certificate and Divorce papers if we have any, he wanted all the originals, he just asked for my husbands BC and DL. So I took them out of my black case where everything is properly organized and labeled. (It pays to be this way because you don't want them waiting for you to find these documents). While doing this my husband was having a conversation with him about the military which he noticed right away because his office is full of air force stuff like my husband he worked with the air force too. After receiving all our documents he started his questions. But 1st he told us to stand up and swore to tell the truth under oath. Then another IO came in and asked him if this is an AOS case he said yes and told her when it was filed she was holding a green card while they were talking. After that, she left. He asked me about my birthdate, where I was born all the while looking at my BC, I told him what hospital I was born in the Philippines and he said I know where this hospital is I have seen it, right away I knew he was Filipino too. He asked me about my physical address and my phone number, then he told me he is going to asked me some questions from my I-485 form about my entry status , when and where I arrived and of course the security questions written in the form. Then when he got to the point if I received benefits from the government I told him I did a restricted Medi-cal for pregnancy related cases before my husband and I got married, he asked when I got it and when it ended if there are any other gov't. assistance I applied for. He went on with the security questions, writing and checking my form while I answered. Then he asked us how we met and where it became serious and also asked us about our sons and then when and where he proposed and what we did after that. Then he excuse himself and typed something on his computer and asked us why we went to San Bernardino field office when we have 2 field offices in San Diego, one at Front street and Chula Vista. I said I written it in the application that I wanted to be interviewed at either of those 2 San Diego offices but when the letter of appointment came I was surprised, they wanted me to go do the interview in San Bernardino. He even joked about these places are much nicer that their office which nothing much compared to this two. Then he was printing something and gave me a letter congratulating me that my case is approved and asked me if I have anymore questions, it feels like a big thorn was taken out of my throat and I can breath again. He just said I have to wait for 90 days for my green card before I make travel plans and too always carry the card with me everywhere I go. If there was a travel emergency he told me the instructions I have to follow and what I have to do if really needed to travel outside the country. Then he said I can get SSN, DL and other government issued ID cards and even asked my husband about him driving me around is going to end and if he liked it that it is ending for which my husband was so happy to answer because he is tired of driving around and commuting for 30 years its now time for him to be the passenger at last. He gave us all the original copies of all our documents but scanning them into the system before giving them back to me. Then he congratulated me again and told me that starting today you are a legal permanent resident of this country and I am entitled with all the rights that comes with it and in 3 years starting today you can file your citizenship if you want. He walks us through all those doors and into the reception/waiting area. The IO was very thorough and to the point but not intimidating, very professional but polite and courteous and very easy to talk to, even joked about certain things but at the same time looking directly into our eyes while we are answering his questions. All in all it took like 30 minutes from start to finish. I was so happy I was jumping and kissing my husband in the elevator, now all my hard worked had paid off since I did all the forms and all the necessary documents of the packet without the help of an Immigration Lawyer. I would also like to thank this site which is so helpful with my journey and all VJers who have shared their experiences and opinions. It is been a long hard journey for me from the time I came here to this day. So hang on to those who are still waiting for there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

February 16, 2011. Arrived at LAX airport

September 2011, met my husband

August 2013, got married

July 10, 2015 mailed our packet I-485, I-765 and I-130 packets to the Chicago lockbox

July 14, touched

July 16 NOA's received by mail

July 17, appointment letter for biometrics received appointment 08/03/2015

July 31 Walk-in Biometrics

August 14, received interview letter for 09/18/2015

September 18, interview day. Got Approved! Yippee!